---
title: "Prosecutors to seek death penalty in Southport bar shooting case"
url: https://www.hereraleigh.com/2026/10/08/prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-southport-shooting-case/
date: 2026-10-08T13:21:40+00:00
modified: 2026-10-08T13:21:40+00:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["News"]
site: "HERE Raleigh"
attribution: "HERE Raleigh"
---

# Prosecutors to seek death penalty in Southport bar shooting case

*Source: [HERE Raleigh](https://www.hereraleigh.com/2026/10/08/prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-southport-shooting-case/) — October 8, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

*From the HERE City State Desk*

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against the man charged in the September 2025 mass shooting at a Southport waterfront restaurant and bar, even though he has not yet been found competent to stand trial.

District Attorney Jon David announced the decision Wednesday during a Rule 24 hearing in Brunswick County Superior Court. Nigel Max Edge, 40, is accused of opening fire from his boat on people at the American Fish Company at the Southport Yacht Basin on Sept. 27, 2025. Three people were killed and several others were wounded.

Edge faces three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, among other charges.

In April, a judge ruled Edge was not competent to stand trial and ordered him to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro for treatment. State evaluators believe he may regain the ability to stand trial. Judge Jason Disbrow found the capital designation appropriate for now.

The district attorney said the designation is an initial determination, not a final decision. If Edge is never restored to capacity, the death penalty would not be lawful and would be removed from consideration, David told the court. Prosecutors also said they have not received evidence that Edge was legally insane at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors cited as an aggravating circumstance that Edge knowingly created a great risk of death to more than one person. They said they also weighed his service as a Marine in Iraq, a traumatic brain injury and serious mental illness. His lawyer, capital defender Matthew Geoffrion, argued against seeking death for a man he said is incapable of proceeding to trial.